OBAMA TIME: An obscure private label watch brand is getting a big lift from a high-powered fan: President Barack Obama. The Jorg Gray line of watches, previously distributed in the corporate gifts market, is taking aim at the retail sector after the President ditched his Tag Heuer for the company’s sporty black chronograph — a watch he has sported to most major events of his political ascendancy, including the inaugural balls. The fledgling brand launched an e-tail site two months ago, Barackswatch.com, and is taking its wares to Baselworld next week to shop for brick-and-mortar partners. It’s been a considerable shift for parent company Logomark, whose core competency is making customized shirts, totes and key chains for corporate clients. “This doesn’t happen to someone everyday,” said Trevor Gnesin, president of Logomark of his fateful alignment with the President. He owes it all to a member of Obama’s security detail, who gave the then-Senator the watch for his birthday in August 2007.

KATE IN PARIS: Kate Moss, who was in Paris during fashion week, stayed on for a modeling assignment. Early last week, the supermodel did a shoot in Place de la Concorde for a future women’s fragrance for Yves Saint Laurent, wearing looks from Stefano Pilati’s pre-fall collection for YSL.

REVELERS IN RUSSIA: Against a backdrop of contemporary art (think animatronic boy pedalling a tricycle and drummers squirming on the floor) partygoers including Larry Gagosian, Shala Monroque, Olympia Scarry, Molly Dent-Brocklehurst and a mob of Russian oligarchs and celebrities mingled Thursday at Dasha Zhukova’s gallery — the Garage Center for Contemporary Culture — in Moscow. The occasion was a new exhibition of works from François Pinault’s collection, called “A Certain State of the World,” which runs through June 14. “You’re like my bride,” Scarry beamed at Zhukova, her close friend clad in a white Ermanno Scervino dress. “I am your bride. You’re my Elvis,” Zhukova shot back. Scarry wore a retro cream-colored pantsuit by Yves Saint Laurent. Over their shoulders, Roman Abramovich, Zhukova’s billionaire boyfriend, made the rounds. “I really liked the Flavin hallway; I could stay in there for hours,” Zhukova added, referring to a room lined with the minimalist’s soothing fluorescent lighting. Other highlights were Takashi Murakami’s models of alien cyborgs and Jeff Koons’ seamless giant heart. Zhukova, who also runs fashion label Kova&T, said she wasn’t ready to reveal her plans for London’s Pop Magazine, where she recently became editor. Later, a select group dined at the Central House of Writers, a graceful, columned institution redolent of the Soviet Unions’ early years. Next up at the Garage are works by the unlikely duo David Lynch and Christian Louboutin, starting April 8.SHOWGIRLS: The biggest runway show of Los Angeles Fashion Week so far didn’t feature new designs, but vintage frocks supplied by Decades. The charity show was hosted by Rachel Griffiths to benefit the Museum for Contemporary Art here. Nearly 500 people, including Kelly Lynch, Rose McGowan, Zoe Saldana, Nicole Richie and Perrey Reeves, gathered in MOCA’s main hall, while Louis Verdad, who’s back designing a new collection called Louver by Louis Verdad, showed his new 21-piece, all-black, Goth-inspired collection on mannequins in a gallery upstairs. “I wanted to keep it edgy without making it trashy,” he said of the Paco Rabanne and John Galliano-inspired collection. “Dita Von Teese is my muse.”

@beyonce chose a custom gown by @falgunishanepeacockindia for mother @mstinalawson 's second annual Wearable Art Gala last night. The gown, which took 10 days to make, was inspired by Nubian warrior queen Amanishakheto. Reporting by @hernameislex . #wwdeye 👑 🐝#beyonce

After dressing @justintimberlake for his Super Bowl halftime performance last month, @stellamccartney has designed the star’s "Man of the Woods" tour wardrobe. Timberlake will be wearing a mix of pieces from McCartney’s fall men's collection as well as custom designs and items from his own closet. #wwdfashion

@carmeloanthony is upping his fashion game once again, introducing a hat collection with @goorinbros. Called Fresh Greens by Melo x Goorin, the line consists of five unisex models, all of which are made in America from 100 percent wool. Each hat is lined with Anthony’s signature and the inscription “Knowledge of self, wisdom and understanding.” You can purchase the collection line at Goorin’s website as well as three off its stores in San Francisco, New York City and Las Vegas #wwdaccessories

“I am of tradition, but that doesn’t mean I have an old outlook on life,” Hubert de Givenchy told WWD in an interview in 1978. The legendary designer, who died last week at the age of 91, achieved wide success soon after launching his own couture boutique in the early ’50s, but he refused to pine for that time. For the first time since its original publication, read our interview with Givenchy on his awe for Audrey Hepburn and looking forward. Link in bio. #wwdarchives #fbf (📷: Pierre Schermann)

About last night: @alexachung and @supergausa toasted the launch of their capsule collection. “It’s the shape that I love, so rather than amend the last and make the sole crazy or do anything wild, we just did really subtle additions that I think make it look really luxe-y,” said Chung. #wwdfashion (📷: Marc Patrick)

Exclusive: @off____white’s @virgilabloh is launching an exclusive eyewear capsule collection @sunglasshut. The unisex collection, which is made up of three styles, first made its debut on the brand’s fall runway show in Paris. Get all the details on WWD.com – link in bio. #wwdnews #wwdfashion